Jun, 2001 : Newcomer Offers Intelligent IP Routing Services

📅 June 25, 2001 - On Monday, the newest player in the intelligent routing market, Sockeye Networks (sockeye.com), announced both the official launch of the company, and the news that it has received $28 million in first round funding from Baker Capital, Battery Ventures, CSFB Private Equity and Polaris Ventures.
Sockeye Networks says it is the first to add intelligence to IP networks by combining real time data on global Internet conditions, licensed from Akamai Technologies Inc. (Akamai.com), and proprietary local IP traffic information. The company's services are designed to optimize IP network performance, Efficiency and visibility.
Along with the launch of the company, Sockeye also added names to its roster of executives and clients. It announced that Valeri Marks, formerly president and CEO of SBC Internet Services, will serve as Sockeye Networks? chairman and CEO. And national broadband services provider Focal Communications Corporation has signed up as Sockeye Networks? first trial customer.
?Focal aims to offer large enterprises and network service providers the most reliable and best performing voice and data services backed by premium customer care,? says Michael Mael, president of Focal Data Communications. ?By incorporating Sockeye Networks? intelligent routing solution into our state of the art network, we can ensure our customers have faster, better quality Internet services.?
Sockeye Networks says it solves the IP network performance and efficiency issues that result from the Internet's unorganized structure. The company says that the Internet has evolved into thousands of interconnected, independently managed networks, each with its own business rules and priorities. The situation results in network congestion, packet loss and transmission delays.
Sockeye says it works to improve network performance and efficiency by adding intelligence to the management of IP traffic flow. Sockeye Networks looks at real time Internet performance statistics and conditions, suggesting optimal traffic paths. The system helps administrators gain control over multiple Internet connections, accelerate packet delivery and realize efficiencies in bandwidth use.
?In today's economic climate, we?re looking to invest in companies that enable businesses to use Internet technology as a competitive advantage. Sockeye Networks gives businesses that edge,? says Alan Spoon, managing general partner at Polaris Ventures. ?with a solid launch pad of seasoned executives, in-demand technology and a premier trial customer, Sockeye Networks is poised to lead the burgeoning intelligent routing market.?
Sockeye says that according to Bank of America Securities, the intelligent routing market could reach $10 billion by 2003.
Working under the name Arriva! Networks, Sockeye Networks developed its intelligent routing service based on patent-pending technology from Akamai. The company's ongoing relationship with Akamai involves an exclusive license for technology and real time data on global Internet conditions. The data is integrated into Sockeye's proprietary platform and used to optimize IP connectivity.
While Akamai is a leading publisher of distributed application and content delivery services, Sockeye offers intelligent routing services to enterprises and service providers. Akamai also holds a minority stake in Sockeye Networks.